Established in 1969, the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) is committed to giving youth opportunities to develop critical thinking and leadership skills. LAYC encourages youth to realize their potential through employment, self-reliance, education, arts, health, and social programs. LAYC programs include skills training, job development, job placement, educational programs, social services, crisis counseling, teen pregnancy prevention, drug treatment, residential programs, health, HIV/AIDS outreach and prevention, leadership development, arts, violence prevention, gang diversion, and recreational programs.